Expression of c-erbB-2 protein and epidermal growth factor receptor in normal tissues of the female genital tract and in the placenta

Abstract

The c-erbB-2 (HER-2/neu) protein is a membrane glycoprotein growth factor receptor that has molecular homology with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). To investigate the relationship between the expression of c-erbB-2 protein and EGFR in the tissues of the human female genital tract and in the placenta, we examined the immunohistochemical reactivity of monoclonal antibodies against both of these proteins. In the müllerian-derived genital tract, epithelial cells of the fallopian tube, endometrium, and endocervix showed reactivity for c-erbB-2 protein, whereas reactivity for EGFR was distributed mainly in the stromal cells throughout the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy. In addition, the staining intensity for EGFR in the endometrial stroma increased with its decidualization. In the exocervical squamous epithelium, basal cells were c-erbB-2 protein-negative and EGFR-positive, but the more differentiated squamous cells of the intermediate layer were c-erbB-2 protein-positive and EGFR-negative. In the placental tissues, cytotrophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblasts of the chorionic villi were c-erbB-2 protein-negative and EGFR-positive. In contrast, intermediate trophoblasts in the extravillous space were c-erbB-2 protein-positive and EGFR-negative. Thus, there is an inverse relationship between the expression of c-erbB-2 protein and EGFR in the tissues of the female genital tract and in the placenta. This suggests that there may be a regulatory mechanism(s) for the expression of both proteins that is associated with the differentiation and/or function of cells in the female genital tract and the placenta.

Abnormal Expression of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and c-erbB2 in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Cervix: Correlation with Human Papillomavirus and Prognosis

“…In this study, 19.8% of squamous cell carcinomas showed more than 25% c-erbB2 staining and only 3% showed more than 75% of positive staining. The inverse relationship between the expression of EGFR and c-erbB2 protein in cervical cancer is quite similar to that found in the normal ectocervix [6].…”

“…c-erbB2 is a 185-to 190-kD glycoprotein closely related in structure to EGFR. An inverse pattern of expression of EGFR and c-erbB2 was found in normal epithelium [1,6] suggesting that the two oncoproteins though related in structure may play a different role in cell control. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is important in cervical cancer.…”

Expression and prognostic value of epidermal growth factor receptor, transforming growth factor-?, and c-erb B-2 in nephroblastoma

“…37,38 These findings suggest that c-erb B-2 protein is a normal membrane constituent of normal epithelial renal tissue. The inverse relation between TGF-␣ and c-erb B-2 receptor proteins has been reported in the female genital tract 39 and in adult human skin. 40 However, this rela- tion is not evident in normal renal tissues.…”

Epidermal growth factor receptor and c-erbB-2 expression in normal breast tissue during the menstrual cycle

“…According to D a m j a n o v et al [4], E G F -R is expressed on epithelial cells of the proliferating compartment in tissues such as epididymis and skin. Wang et al [24] studied the location of E G F -R in the e n d o m e t r i u m and other tissues of the female genital tract. They reported finding E G F -R in basal cells of the exocervical squamous epithelium, i.e.…”